Young stars’ 2013 prospects vetted

The start of a new performing season is a good time for young stars and starlets to figure out what the future holds for them, and what they should do to make sure that their careers will sustain their upward trajectory:

For Coco Martin, it’s high time for him to realize that his successful shift from indie to “maindie” stardom, while being immensely profitable to him, also has a dark side, due to the excessive “polish” and self-consciousness that his performances have acquired.

True indie grit has been junked in favor of more “commercial” gloss and stereotypical acting, so if Coco really wants to retain his reputation as a genuinely fine actor, he has to go back to the most important and believable basics.

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For her part, Glaiza de Castro has successfully gotten over her initial “problem” of looking too much like Angel Locsin, so she can now greet 2013 on her own terms.

‘Kontrabida’ role

Trouble is, producers have been casting her in too many “kontrabida” roles, so Glaiza and her handlers have to work hard to convince show biz’s decision makers that she can also play dramatic and romantic-lead roles, from time to time.

In the biz, everything is a matter of perception, so they should make doubly sure that her range as an actress is properly perceived.

After more than a decade in the TV-film acting business, both TJ Trinidad and Rafael Rosell are finally being acknowledged as the solid, versatile performers they have become. Trouble is, they are being edged out for key roles by younger and “better-connected” comers, so they have their work cut out for them to prove that they’ve got more to offer as experienced actors, where it matters most.

Luis Manzano is branching out into the TV-hosting ambit and gambit, but he shouldn’t neglect his acting career, which is being compromised by the goofy or shallow roles he’s played of late.

CONCEPCION. Counterproductive move.

He isn’t getting any younger, so if the good TV-film roles aren’t coming his way, Luis should initiate his own indie acting showcase, to prove that he’s no pushover in the acting department.

Through the years, Marc Abaya has slowly but surely made a name for himself as a gifted and versatile character actor. Trouble is, in local show biz, “character actor” means supporting player or villain, and that isn’t the way for Marc to go, because he’s too talented for that.

Possibilities

Marc should instead tweak his performing persona as an exponent of “hero-antihero” acting, the possibilities of which are limitless.

On the distaff side, Jennylyn Mercado should realize that she’s been biting off more than she can chew of late, especially as a TV host, so it’s time for her to temper ambition and self-confidence with more realistic expectations.

For her part, KC Concepcion is heating up her image as a young-adult star, but the move, initiated by her “sexier” liquor endorsement, could prove counterproductive, if she doesn’t find the right script and director to vivify it.

Ditto for Sarah Geronimo, whose own “sexy” transformation is being compromised by its skin-deep permutations, and her lack of “experiential” cred. She should take time off to live, before she can credibly act the part!